Transporters focus on NH-37 ahead of Monsoon
BRO asked to explain slow pace of work
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 01 2012: Literally sounding the warning bell ahead of the rainy season, the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union has stated that if the black topping work of NH-37 is not completed soon, the highway will return to its earlier unmotorable state again.

Speaking to newsmen at its office at MG Avenue today, general secretary of the Union, Hamom Kullamani asserted that if Border Roads Organisation fails to black top the stretches which are yet to be tarred, the same condition which was witnessed in the last few years will return once the rainy season sets in.

The BRO has been in charge of National Highway 37 for so many years, but till date there is no indication that this stretch is now fit to be called a National Highway, he added.

The BRO should take it upon themselves to explain why it has failed to dispense with its duties on time, he asserted.

The State Government too should keep a close tab on the working of the BRO.

A vehicle makes its way through the slush on NH-37-File pic

The slushy state of the road will make it unmotorable, he predicted.

Giving details about the present state of the highway, Kullamani said that bitumen, chips and machines are stationed by the highway but no work can be seen being executed.

Work on the Barak bridge and Makru bridge are yet to start too, he added.

If the BRO is really intent on completing the work, then it can be done so within four months, claimed Kullamani but added that with the current pace of work, it will take more than ten years to make the highway an all weather road.

To check the imposition of illegal taxes on the Nagaland stretch of NH-2, the Union will soon submit memoranda to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary, informed Kullamani.

Expressing their strong stand against the burning of a stationary bus and the death of two handymen in the incident at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai in the adjoining nights of March 26 and 27, Kullamani said that the State Government too should compensate for the loss of two lives.

Hinting that it was a case of arson, Kullamani said that the failure to nab the people responsible for the act is reflects the weakness of the Government.

Kullamani further said that loss incurred the inferno at its Mantripukhri office on March 25 has been pegged at about Rs 6 lakh.

Documents and cash kept for maintenance and emergency cases were destroyed in the fire, he said and appealed to the Government to extend their help.